Got pulled over for no helmet in Virginia.

    No ticket, and I did not get shot. Actually, the police were really nice about it (Fairfax PD). Of course I had my license, insurance and registration in order, and my helmet was in the vehicle with me. They just told me that I must wear one in Virginia. I had been going without one on surface streets, and only wearing the helmet when on the freeway, but now I'll wear it any time I drive the Slingshot. Both cops also spent some time checking out the Slingshot, talking to me about it, and asking questions. They seemed like really good guys.

    I have also been pulled over on surface streets in VA for no helmet, with no ticket issued, BUT I have also been told by officers in other jurisdictions that they won't necessarily pull a Sling over for helmet violations, because they don't generally have the bandwidth, and quite frankly, dont care. YMMV.


    Highways in VA are a "must-wear"....the Staties will snag you every time.

    Three weekends ago I was pulled over by my local PD and was told I needed to wear a helmet.


    All summer I have not worn a helmet on surface streets but did when on the highway. I had passed many officers this summer without issue.


    I shared with him that I thought the state of NC created a new class of vehicle called the auto-cycle which didn't require a helmet.


    He assured me that wasn't correct. He didn't issue a ticket. I put my helmet on and finished my task. 40 minutes later I am running down the road, same officer passed me going the other way - I had my helmet on.


    I see him turn around quickly and flip on his lights - and I am like what's going on.


    Officer pulls next to me at the light and says "hey, you were right, I looked up the law and it went into effect July 1. You don't need to wear a helmet"


    Officer said he was actually headed to my house to let me know what he had learned and saw me going the other way.


    Seems that the officers around here are still learning the law so I will be patient and be prepared with a copy of the law.

    Here's the actual law in VA:


    Motorcycle and autocycle operators to wear helmets, etc.; certain sales prohibited; penalty
    A. Every person operating a motorcycle or autocycle shall wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles, or have his motorcycle or autocycle equipped with safety glass or a windshield at all times while operating the vehicle, and operators and any passengers thereon shall wear protective helmets. Operators and passengers riding on motorcycles with wheels of eight inches or less in diameter or in three-wheeled motorcycles or autocycles that have nonremovable roofs, windshields, and enclosed bodies shall not be required to wear protective helmets. The windshields, face shields, glasses or goggles, and protective helmets required by this section shall meet or exceed the standards and specifications of the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation. Failure to wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles, or protective helmets shall not constitute negligence per se in any civil proceeding. The provisions of this section requiring the wearing of protective helmets shall not apply to operators of or passengers on motorcycles or autocycles being operated (i) as part of an organized parade authorized by the Department of Transportation or the locality in which the parade is being conducted and escorted, accompanied, or participated in by law-enforcement officers of the jurisdiction wherein the parade is held and (ii) at speeds of no more than 15 miles per hour.No motorcycle or autocycle operator shall use any face shield, safety glasses, or goggles, or have his motorcycle or autocycle equipped with safety glass or a windshield, unless of a type either (i) approved by the Superintendent prior to July 1, 1996, or (ii) that meets or exceeds the standards and specifications of the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation and is marked in accordance with such standards.


    The relevant passage is "...operators and any passengers thereon shall wear protective helmets. Operators and passengers riding on motorcycles with wheels of eight inches or less in diameter or in three-wheeled motorcycles or autocycles that have nonremovable roofs, windshields, and enclosed bodies shall not be required to wear protective helmets".


    My understanding of this is that you must wear a helmet on a Slingshot UNLESS it has a windshield (mine does), AND an enclosed body (mine does), AND a non-removable top (mine does not).

    The relevant passage is "...operators and any passengers thereon shall wear protective helmets. Operators and passengers riding on motorcycles with wheels of eight inches or less in diameter or in three-wheeled motorcycles or autocycles that have nonremovable roofs, windshields, and enclosed bodies shall not be required to wear protective helmets".



    My understanding of this is that you must wear a helmet on a Slingshot UNLESS it has a windshield (mine does), AND an enclosed body (mine does), AND a non-removable top (mine does not).





    This is what I was saying when we all meet up for the Skyline drive... Thanks for posting.





    WE WERE ALL HUMANS UNTIL
    RACE DISCONNECTED US,
    RELIGION SEPERATED US,
    POLITICS DIVIDED US,
    AND WEALTH CLASSIFIED US.

    This is where the Elio lobbying screws us in regards to the helmet. The Elio had a non-removable roof.


    Even the ridged bolt on tops for the Slingshot are technically removable.

    Proud supporter of S.O.G.

    (Slingshot Owners Group)

    :thumbsup:

    Owner/operator: MeanSling LLC :thumbsup:

    Quote from Ruptured Duck

    This is where the Elio lobbying screws us in regards to the helmet. The Elio had a non-removable roof.


    Even the ridged bolt on tops for the Slingshot are technically removable.

    My point exactly - the Elio top is removable also
    If it's ever brought to market ;(

    I might not be right but I can sure sound like it

    Edited once, last by Bill Martin ().